Vanderbilt Cup Races

Virginia Fair Graham Vanderbilt estate in Brookville.
She was the ex of William K (Jr.)
It was off Cedaar Swamp Rd (107)
Photo about 1927

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

I used to teach sailing at the old Jacobsen’s Shipyard, Oyster Bay, NY.  Along the southern portion of Shore Rd is a similar house with high pitched roofs. The home is only visible from the bay. I would scare and tease my students by telling them the house was haunted. Whenever we got close the wind would suddenly gust up. Of course the wind was only a result of the shape of the hills in the harbor but it sure scared the heck out of those that heard the “Sailors yarn”!

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

Actually a question:
Where will the Tucker be sent for painting ?

From Update: Tucker will be a Featured Marque at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

This is the Virginia Graham Fair Vanderbilt Estate in Brookville designed by John Russell Pope, built in 1911 which is now between Hemlock Drive and Quaker Ridge Drive. The estate was demolished. A portion of the formal garden wall still remains. I know this because I’m crazy. Somebody’s pool basically sits exactly where the estate stood.

Prior to her separation from LIMP Willie K’s dad, she lived in Deepdale in Great Neck. After splitting up, she had this nice little cottage built in Brookville. This was ok for about 15 years when she then purchased Fairmont in Manhasset and lived there until she died in 1935. Not a bad trio of residences!

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

Stan R:

Wonderfull!  Great history. Thanks.

From A Tribute to a 1906 Hairpin Turn Landmark in Old Westbury

This photo is looking east from the Shelter Rock Rd, toward the Vanderbilt Strathmore property, in Manhasset.  There were many prominent owners, and part of the property was meant to resemble the original Petite Trianon in France.  The vast estate once included what is now the old Jock Whitney estate.  The original building still exists today, but the lawn and gardens are now suburbs.

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

That’s the Brookville estate of Virginia Graham Fair (Birdie) Vanderbilt, first wife of Wiilie K. Jr. It was built around 1911 not long after their separation and designed by John Russell Pope who also designed the first six toll lodges on the LIMP (Meadow Brook, Massapequa, Bethpage, Garden City, Great Neck, and Roslyn). I believe Birdie stayed there until shortly after her divorce from Willie K. was final (1927) then moved to Manhasset while her new home on East 93rd. Street in Manhattan was being built. So I’ll guess the photo is from around that time: 1927-1928. Also a guess but I think we’re looking north or northeast.

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

Robin K. my name is Roger and I am doing some research on the Beast for Barbara. Her father was Russel Case the original owner and builder of the Beast. As a child when he built it was called the Bullet by the kids. So Russ sold it to your father in like 49’ or 50’ time frame. Guess what we are trying to find out is where the car ended up. We see the photos of the Beast being used as a tow vehicle for that beautiful little racecar. Thank you in advance, Roger.

From Mystery Foto #83 Revealed: Russ Case was the Original Owner of "The Beast"

Awesome! What’s better than an aerial of a LIGC estate linked to the LIMP?! Zach from OldLongIsland.com has some great info on this estate.

-Identify the owner of this estate and the relationship to William K. Vanderbilt Jr.

The Virginia Graham Fair Vanderbilt estate. She built this house following her separation from William K. Vanderbilt Jr. and kept the estate until moving to ‘Fairmont’

-Link the architect of the estate’s residence to the Long Island Motor Parkway
The great John Russel Pope, architect for some of LIMP lodges, Petit Trianon and other LIMP buildings.

-Identify the location and orientation of the aerial.
The estate was located just East of Rout 107 in Brookville. This aerial is looking Easterly over the formal gardens

-What is the approximate date of the aerial?
Built in 1911, she stayed until 1927, so this could have been at any time within that range, but I’d guess closer to 1927 since that’s when many other Fairchild aerials are from.

From Update: Mystery Foto #47 Solved: Long Island Estate of Virginia "Birdie" Graham Fair Vanderbilt

Wonder what became of the House&Garage; that the Jones Family resided in after the LIMP closed? Looks to be a well constructed home. Perhaps the family was able to purchase it and relocate nearby?

From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House

I am not at all abashed but find it pretty funny that, of ALL the well-known features, some of the very best, my fog lifted for the ball field and track out in Brentwood, of all places.  What a remarkable geographic similitude.  Sam, III

From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House

Thought the buildings on the N & S sides of the LIMP were affiliated with the Wheeler Farm. Sidney and his family had nice living arrangements. Wheeler bridge #1 wasn’t filled in back then. It served as a convenient way to traverse between their home & garage.

From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House

The photo is taken facing east/southeast over Alley Pond Park and Creedmoor.
Major Roads
              Grand Central Parkway, Cross Island Parkway, Utopia Parkway, Winchester Blvd., Rocky Hill Rd (Springfield Blvd,), Hillside Ave 25B, Commonwealth Blvd., Little Neck Parkway. LIMP

LIMP - Rocky Hill Rd bridge, Rocky Hill Rd Toll Lodge, Wheeler Farmway bridge, Winchester Blvd. (Alley Rd) bridge , Commonwealth Blvd. Bridge, and Little Neck Parkway bridge.
The photo was taken on March 7, 1940 just after the close of the LIMP as observed in the photo. The Grand Central and Cross Island Parkways were still under construction.  The parkways were completed at the end of 1940.
The website from were the photo was posted is NYC.GOV/records.  The photo is also posted on Facebook “Old images of Queens and Nassau”.

From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House

Just recovering from surgery and complications and still too groggy to think clearly BUT - bet that’s looking NNW over the still-surviving Brentwood track and ball field at today’s LIU Brentwood campus.  I could always cheat of look up that “dead -giveaway” transverse toll gate, which would then seem to be at Wicks Road - ???  Uh, oh.  Better pack this in.  Sam, II
______________________________________________
Howard Kroplick

Sam, here’s to a quick recovery!

From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House

Just one more rape of our heritage, another “monumental act of vandalism”.  And, now that it’s gone, we can rend our garments, gnash our teeth, and moan.  But it does give me an idea for another LIMPPS project (for someone else to mastermind)!  How about doing a photo inventory of all known remaining VCR and LIMP background houses?  If done by each PS member who lives in a given area, it wouldn’t be all that burdensome and some noted LI historian just MIGHT put it all together on-line.  It could even generate more Mystery Fotos!  Sam, III
______________________________________

Howard Kroplick

Sam, here is the starting point as posted in 2011:
http://www.vanderbiltcupraces.com/blog/article/sunday_february_13_2011_then_now_extant_structures_on_the_vanderbilt_cup_ra

From A Tribute to a 1906 Hairpin Turn Landmark in Old Westbury

Howard,  The “golfway” bridge” was originally built as a farmway bridge. In 1908 the Parkway acquired 50 plus acres in the vicinity from Titus. The tract purchased extended eastward from the Parkway to Glen Cove Rd. The sale contained two conditions. Titus also owned the property west of the Parkway r.o.w. In order for Titus to continue to have access to Glen Cove Rd. the Parkway were obligated to build a bridge over the r.o.w.  The second condition was that Titus retained the right to a 33 feet wide strip of land from the bridge to Glen Cove Rd.  When the golf course was built the bridge then became a golfway bridge. The covenent regarding the 33 feet wide strip became a moot point when the golf club acquired both properties. Al.
_______________________________________

Howard Kroplick

Thanks Al. I agree.

From A New Motor Parkway Historic Marker Installed at the Wheatley Hills Golf Club in East Williston

Well, well, what do you know!  I pre-empted myself.  This is what happens when you’re in your eighty-fifth year.

From Chrysler's Chrysler Then & Now: Pre-& Post-Restoration

View south east from Alley Pond Park,Winchester Blvd crossing Cross Island Parkway that appears almost completed which dates this photo about 1940, in view is Union Turnpike and Motor Parkway crossing under Grand Central Parkway, Creedmore Hospital in view, this looks like Fairchild Aerial Survey the 7th down is the Cross Island Parkway Grand Central Parkway interchange,4th down is view North to Grand Central Parkway with Motor Parkway crossing under 5th down shows Union Turnpike crossing Motor Parkway and Grand Central Parkway and is view south, the top 3 down are Little Neck Parkway crossing under Motor Parkway toll house?

From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House

Thank you Howard for sharing this on your wonderful site. You are an inspiration to us to always look forward while keeping an eye on our past. Rita and Jerry JeRita [like Brangelina only better]

From Rita and Jerry Trapani Honored as Recipients of The 2017 Gil Bergen Preservationist Award

Identify the location and orientation: Alley Pond Park in Queens, looking southeast

Identify the major roads: LIMP, Winchestser, Grand Central Pkwy., Cross Island Pkwy., Union Turnpike, Springfield Blvd. 73rd. Ave., 76th Ave., Rocky Hill Rd.

Identify the Motor Parkway structures and buildings: Rocky Hill Rd. Bridge and Lodge, Creedmore Bridge, probably others.

What is the approximate date of the Mystery Foto. Provide a rationale. March 7, 1940.  Completion of Cross Island Parkway around that time and caption in photo sent to Howard.

Bonus: Provide the Internet link to this aerial.
http://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/RECORDSPHOTOUNITARC~35~35~1437298~143832:dpr_18286?qvq=q:alley&mi=36&trs=126

And one more taken in January - showing snow on ground.
http://nycma.lunaimaging.com/luna/servlet/detail/RECORDSPHOTOUNITARC~35~35~1436940~143795:dpr_18179?qvq=q:alley&mi=8&trs=126

From Mystery Foto #46 Solved: A Spectacular 1940 Aerial of the Rocky Hill Lodge & the Gatekeeper's House